Iran Key Terms

Assembly of Religious Experts

Elected clerical body, selects/oversees/removes the Supreme Leader, members are tested/interviewed by GC

Azeri

Major ethnic minority, Shi’a Muslim, ethnically Azerbaijani

Coup d’etat

A sudden seizure of power, Qajar overthrown in 1921 after WWI

Expediency Council

Unelected advisory body, resolves disputes between the Maijis and the GC, advises the Supreme leader

Green Movement

Reformist Mir Hossein Moussavi lose 2009 election, supporters claimed it was fraud/rigged, demanded political reform and civil rights, mass protests and killing resulted

Guardian Council

Powerful unelected body, clerics and jurists, reviews laws for compatibility with Islam/constitution, approves or disapproves election candidates, 12 men, issue tests/interviews to Experts

Iranian (Islamic) Revolution of 1979

Overthrew the Shah and ended the monarchy, created Islamic Republic, clerics led under Ayatollah Khomeini, pushed back against westernization and the Shah

Jurist guardianship

Velayat-e faqih, senior Islamic jurist should rule, basis of supreme leader’s authority, chief interpreters of Islam

Majlis

Elected representative assembly, 290 single-member constituencies, first-past-the-post, 14 seats reserved for minority candidates, GC controls who can run, introduce and pass legislation, approve cabinet members and budget, enact civil law

Persians

Largest ethnic group in Iran, ~61%, Iran used to be called Persia until 1935

Reformist

Seeking change to Iran, support social freedoms and political openness, liberalize life but still unable to change fundamental theocracy, more educated and westernized, Green movement, want to pave a path to peace with Western civilization,

Rentier state

Relies on resource income, leases oil rights to foreign oil companies, reduces the need for taxation but weakens citizens influence over government

Shari’ah

Islamic law based on the Quran, influences the legal system, interpreted by clerics, is the supreme law of Iran, holy text of Islam

Supreme Leader

Highest authority, controls military, courts, media, and appointments, unelected and holds office for life, can be removed by AoRE, declare war and peace

Zoroastrianism

Ancient persian religion, influenced culture and ideas of law/morality